Naaga-K. Hari Kumar

Book: Naaga
Author: K. Hari Kumar
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Have you read about the practice of Serpent Worship in India?

K. Hari Kumar combines meticulous research with vivid storytelling to uncover the cultural, spiritual, and historical significance of serpent worship in India. From the Naagabanas and Sarpakaavus of the southwestern coast, to the East where the goddess Manasa is worshipped, to remote Himalayan peaks that echo with lore of guardian serpents, Naaga is a fascinating exploration that reveals shared truths, striking contrasts, and the unwavering reverence for these sacred beings across the subcontinent. Embark on a journey into a world where serpents are guardians of cosmic order, protectors, adversaries and symbols of power-deities that continue to inspire awe and devotion in India’s spiritual consciousness.

Naaga is a book that is very well researched, and as a reader, you get pulled into the world that Hari brings to you from his travels and research. Divided into 4 sections, the first 2 sections explore the themes, nomenclature and the practice of serpent worship in India. The remaining 2 chapters bring out the various stories from the local cultures and the epics. I loved how the book starts with the explanation of the names of the various deities, and what it is the story behind each of them. Hari also presents the variations that exist across our land for the same stories. Moving forward, we are present with the various ways in which serpents are worshipped across various cultures, and how those are at times governed by local beliefs and customs. Hari’s research is thorough and while this is a non-fiction book, you are engrossed in the stories that he tells from the Puranas, Vedas and the local folktales. The writing in the book is engaging, and he has planned the book in a perfect fashion where he introduces us to the practice of ophiolatry, the various deities, and then the practices of ophiolatry. As he slowly takes you into this world, he piques your interest in the theme, and then you take this journey with him, not as a reader, but as a co-traveller. The descriptions are quite vivid and you can visualize most of the places he describes, before googling them. Another aspect of the book I really loved was that there is reverence and respect in the way he writes about the places, practices and the stories which comes out very nicely. The last 2 sections of the book, recounting the stories from the epics and folktales is quite interesting. He has meticulously picked up the stories and presented them in the book which ties perfectly with the first half of the book where we get to know the deities and the practices. This part of the book rounds up the research and the deep dive into ophiolatry as it shows us the reasons why serpent worship became prevalent, and how it is entwined with our culture.

The book is an excellent read if you are looking to know about the various practices of serpent worship in the country, and the stories behind why we do, what we do. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book from a bookstore near you, or on Amazon India.

Secret of The Pickled Dream (Shanti and Amani #1)-Yesha Gambhir Mirza

Book: Secret of The Pickled Dream (Shanti and Amani #1)
Author: Yesha Gambhir Mirza
Illustrator: Priyanka Pachpande
Publisher: Simon & Schuster India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you have any memories of making pickles with your family?

Amani is all about haul videos and sparkly gadgets—until she lives through something magical. How did she become a pickling expert overnight? Will she succeed in her secret mission? Can a jar of achaar really bring a family—even a neighbourhood—closer together? And do values of past and future have to compete… or can they come together to create something even better? Funny, flavourful and full of heart, Shanti and Amani: Secret of the Pickled Dream is a story of curiosity, connection and the quiet magic passed down through generations.

The novella is a wonderful way of connecting the current generation with some of the activities that we used to do, some years back. The book manages to present a wonderful case for stepping away from this hyperconnected world, and to look for connections beyond our devices, and instant gratification of short-length videos. Yesha captures the essence of familial bonding, social relationships and how even a small act of sharing home-made pickle with those around us can help create memories that are so tied to the scents that merely recreating them can bring back memories. The writing is simple, and I loved that the author captures the entire process through the eyes of an pre-teen perfectly. The initial streak of wanting what everyone has, to blending traditions with modernity was something I really loved. Another aspect of the book that I really loved were those of the illustrations which capture the essence of the book perfectly. Each of the illustration is placed just at the right location, and that elevates the reading experience superbly. The idea to highlight the key takeaways from the various sections about family, social life as well as the joy of giving was a nice touch and I really liked it.

Amani’s character as an eleven-year-old in this connected world is nicely captured. Yesha sets the character quickly, but the descriptions are so detailed, along with the illustrations that you can picture her perfectly. Bebe Shanti’s character has also been plotted well, and her appearance to help Amani find her way was heartwarming.

Overall, this is a series I am really looking forward to continuing, and learning some more from Bebe myself. The book scores a 4.94/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book on Amazon India or a Bookstore near you!

A Place In This World-Richa Telang

Book: A Place In This World
Author: Richa Telang
Publisher: Indie Press

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

What if you had a second chance at love?

Set in the heart of a bustling residential society in Mumbai, A Place in This World follows the emotional journey of Ira and Sahaj—two individuals whose lives intersect during the chaos of the Covid era. Ira, a talented fashion designer, is on a personal quest to rediscover herself while grappling with complicated family dynamics. Sahaj, an IT professional and devoted single parent, appears to have his life in order, but silently bears the weight of raising his two sons and guiding his younger brother. A chance connection over a radio show brings them together at a time when both are at emotional crossroads. As their bond deepens, questions arise: Will Ira find the answers she seeks? Can Sahaj offer more than just support? And will their relationship remain platonic, or evolve into something deeper? This heartwarming tale weaves together themes of breezy romance, enduring family values, single parenting, old-age dilemmas, and the transformative power of friendship. A Place in This World invites you to explore the beauty of human connections and the courage it takes to find your place in the world.

The book explores the not-so-recent situation we had all found ourselves in in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic. Richa’s story explores the story of 2 families, both of whom lose family members to the virus. The book explores how the loss impacts their daily lives and how they adjust to the new normal. I loved how Richa takes her time and establishes the situation of the families in the book. Another interesting aspect of the book was the fact that it explores the idea of love, family, and marriage through the lens of different generations. Through each couple, she explores a different aspect of marriage and married life. While we a contemporary relationship idea from Ira and Sahaj, there is a Gen Z viewpoint on marriage through the eyes of Soham and Pia. Through Ira’s in laws, we see a perspective on married life of the previous generation. The storytelling is quite powerful and I liked that Richa keeps the plot light but with the right message at the right locations. Another aspect of Richa’s writing that keeps you hooked is the focus on food. Each scene of the book has something culinary, and right from Idlis for Breakfast to Maggi in the hills, she makes sure that you are munching something while reading. The book explores the idea of loss quite nicely, and how we move on from the setbacks in life with a positive mindset. The open-ended climax of the book was a nice touch and in line with the tone of the book. The non-judgmental way she ends the book, letting the reader create an ending through their imagination shows a wonderful writing.

Coming to the characters, I liked how Richa details out the characters in the book. Each of the people in the book have been given distinct identities and each of them add a wonderful flavour to this story. She gives time to the characters to develop a personality that makes the story work. Another interesting aspect of the character development in the book was that we see conflicts, fights, love, and friendships, in equal measures among the characters. The relationships are explored in detail and how they are seen from the eyes of each of the characters. I specially loved the way Sahaj and Ira’s characters have been developed and pull the events of the book forward.

Overall, the book is a wonderful read on love, loss, and relationships. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book at a bookstore near you or on Amazon India.

Twisted, Tangled and Trapped-Siddharth Maheshwari

Book: Twisted, Tangled and Trapped
Author: Siddharth Maheshwari
Publisher: Papertowns Publishers

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

How can two murders change the lives of multiple people?

One murder three confessions!! A prominent movie producer, Rajat Rai Handa, is found murdered in his posh Mumbai apartment. And three people have confessed to the crime. His beautiful wife, Lipika Handa, His opportunistic childhood friend, Jatin Maini and His business partner, the financial wiz, Vidit Kapoor. But why have three people confessed to the crime? Inspector Vijay Waghmare follows the clues as a pesky ambitious reporter; Anirban Chatterjee follows around and enthusiastically tries to meddle in. A story of deceit, cunning and vile human tactics, where ambition knows no bounds and survival is the only instinct. A trap is set but will the killer be ensnared? And what is the price One is willing to pay for exacting revenge? Told through shifting perspectives and without an author’s voice, this story lets the characters take control, each with their own truth, bias, and secrets. But someone’s lying. Maybe all of them are.

The book is written as a crime thriller and an investigative fiction, but the book explores a lot more than just the crime and the investigation after that. The book explores the idea of how far can someone go to protect their own. The writing in the book is interesting, specially with the changing perspectives with each chapter. Through the eyes of his characters, Siddharth presents contrasting views of the events of the evenings where the events take place. Another interesting aspect of the story was that each of the characters had a motive for their actions, and how the author actual reveals them slowly as you go along. The book is legally savvy and the references make the plot even more gripping. The descriptions are quite vivid and I specially loved the jail scenes and how he uses that at crucial junctures in the book. He does break the fourth wall at times, making you feel as if you are sitting across the character who is narrating the scene to you. The chapter titles and the illustrations are quite a good part of the book and elevate the reading experience quite a bit. I do, however, feel that the plot could have been developed a bit more. The investigative aspect of the book ended quite abruptly and I did want to see a bit more of Waghmare and his antics. The climax of the book was unpredictable for a bit, and I liked the revenge curve that the author puts in.

The characters in the book are wonderfully created and are quite fleshed out. Starting from Anirban, the reporter who can do anything for an exclusive is penned in a manner that reflects the media of today, and how we can go to any lengths to succeed. Another character that impressed me was that of Vijay Waghmare and his doggedness in the pursuit of justice. The character that was the highlight was that of Eka and how she works the system to her advantage, right till the very end.

Overall, this is a nicely written book about crime, investigation and how revenge is a dish best served cold. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book at a bookstore near you or from Amazon India.

P.S. The chapter titles are some amazing songs, check out the playlist below: